Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Magistrates' Court Act 1989 - SECT 38A

Charge to be read or explained to defendant before plea

38A. Charge to be read or explained to defendant before plea



(1) Subject to subsection (2), the Court must ensure that any charge, as set
out on the charge-sheet, is read to the defendant or its substance explained
to the defendant before the defendant is asked to plead to the charge.

(2) It is not necessary that a charge be read, or its substance explained, to
a defendant who is represented by a legal practitioner if the Court considers
it appropriate that it not be so read or explained.